Ultrasound is used to detect lymphoma and assist in diagnosing the disease. Ultrasound is just one of many imaging tests used for diagnosing lymphoma, including: Computed tomography (CT) scans. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Biopsy: A biopsy is a common diagnostic test for Hodgkin lymphoma. Our pathologists will take the cells from a biopsy sample and examine them under a microscope to look for the presence of abnormal lymphocytes called the Reed-Sternberg cell.
This test uses high frequency sound waves to look at your lymph nodes. Your doctor might take a sample (biopsy) from the lymph node if it looks abnormal. You might have this test to find out if melanoma skin cancer has spread from the skin to the lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes in lymphomas may be morphologically difficult to distinguish from metastatic lymph nodes based on ultrasound alone – e.g. they become round in shape and present chaotic or peripheral vascular pattern(3, 5).
Hodgkin's lymphoma is most frequently diagnosed by a lymph node biopsy of an enlarged lymph node.
Blood Test
He or she may also look for tumor markers, such as proteins and enzymes, that are associated with Hodgkin lymphoma. The doctor may assess your overall health by identifying the number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body; and platelets, which help blood clot.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is one or more enlarged (swollen) lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph node may be in the neck, upper chest, armpit, abdomen or groin. The swollen lymph node is usually painless.
Your doctor may conduct imaging studies (see below), such as CT scans, X-rays, and PET scans, of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Radiologists look for an enlarged spleen or lymph nodes, or abnormal retinal veins. PET scanning can identify patients who are candidates for chemotherapy treatment alone.
Doppler ultrasonography can evaluate the vascular pattern, displacement of vascularity, vascular resistance and pulsatility index. These features have been reported to have a sensitivity of 88% for the diagnosis of metastatic nodes and 67% for lymphoma with a specificity of 100%[6].
Ultrasound: For patients with inflamed nodes around their neck, abdomen, or underarms, an ultrasound can help technologists and doctors assess and differentiate abnormal nodes from healthy ones.
In detecting the true diagnosis of malignant lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease in the periaortic lymph node region, ultrasound was correct in 49 of 56 cases, or 87.5 %.
Because sound waves echo differently from fluid-filled cysts and solid masses, an ultrasound can reveal tumors that may be cancerous. However, further testing will be necessary before a cancer diagnosis can be confirmed.
Blood Tests for Lymphoma
Blood tests are essential to accurately diagnosing this complex disease. These tests can show whether you have lymphoma cells or abnormal levels of normal cells: Blood smear: We take a drop of blood and look at it under a microscope.
A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can suggest that cancer is present, but Hodgkin lymphoma can only be diagnosed after a biopsy of an affected tissue, preferably by removal (or excision) of a lymph node.
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) may be difficult to diagnosis. You may want to get a second medical opinion by an experienced hematopathologist before you begin treatment.
With lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they're noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly. Usually, the swollen nodes don't hurt. But some people say their lumps ache or are painful.
Why you might have a CT scan. CT scans can show up swollen (enlarged) lymph nodes in your body. If you had a CT scan to help diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma, you won't need to have another one. But if you were diagnosed by lymph node biopsy alone, you'll have a CT scan to look for enlarged nodes in other parts of your body.
The only way to be absolutely sure of a diagnosis of lymphoma (or any other cancer) is for a doctor to conduct medical tests including performing an excisional biopsy to remove an entire lymph node or an incisional biopsy to remove a portion of the diseased tissue.
Typical malignant cervical lymph nodes are larger in size, rounded in shape (S/L > 0.5), have loss of the echogenic hilum, appear homogenously hypoechoic, demonstrate peripheral or mixed vascularity, and demonstrate high vascular resistance.
The best way to find lymphoma early is to pay attention to possible signs and symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, causing a lump or bump under the skin which is usually not painful. This is most often on the side of the neck, in the armpit, or in the groin.
Advanced tests can determine if lymphoma cells are present and what types of cells are involved. Blood tests. Blood tests to count the number of cells in a sample of your blood can give your doctor clues about your diagnosis. Removing a sample of bone marrow for testing.
Hodgkin lymphoma is caused by a change (mutation) in the DNA of a type of white blood cell called B lymphocytes, although the exact reason why this happens isn't known. The DNA gives the cells a basic set of instructions, such as when to grow and reproduce.